This week the Malvern Gardens are set to host the last Sunset Sounds show of this summer and the first show of the year for Melbourne’s 30/70, who are setting up for a massive 2018.

After dropping their latest LP ELEVATE in November last year through Rhythm Section International, 30/70 have cemented themselves as one of the most exciting acts to emerge from the Melbourne’s super strong neo-soul scene. The new album, spearheaded by lead single ‘Misrepresented’, delivers on all the things that has built the band one of Melbourne’s most loyal fanbases, with Allysha Joy’s charismatic vocals dancing around huge grooves, neo-soul harmonies and jazz-funk licks. We got in touch with the 30/70 crew to talk 2017, 2018 and Sundays.

TJ: A free Sunday evening gig in the Malvern Gardens is a bloody great way to spend a Sunday evening. Looking forward to it?

30/70: Yeah. We are all northsiders so it'll be nice to get over to the other side of town and bring that flavour across with us. And free shows are always a huge vibe.

For those who haven’t seen 30/70 before, what can people be looking forward to?

30/70 is never really the same twice so it's hard to say what will happen at this gig as yet. We always like to keep our sets fresh so I guess people can look forward to feeling the realness of the moment.

In October you released your third album, ELEVATE, through Rhythm Section International. What was that experience like? How has the response to the album been so far?

Yeah it was really great to link up with Bradley Zero and the crew at Rhythm Section, they're just so keen on good music and community and have created such a dope scene and culture in Peckham that's really spreading around the world.

The first single off ELEVATE, 'Misrepresented', is huge. Could you tell us a little about how it came about?

Yeah this track was mostly written by Tom Mansfield and then I wrote some lyrics as soon as the guys started playing it. I was feeling pretty down about the misrepresentation of women in the music industry and really wanted to feel the love and spread the importance of elevation. Elevating ourselves and others so that change will ripple through the whole community.

With each of the members of 30/70 playing in other bands and being pretty active in the Melbourne scene, I imagine you’d all see a fair bit of music. Any favourites playing around at the moment you’d recommend?

Oh there's too many! Gotta check out Silent Jay and Jace XL in whatever projects they're rocking, Sampa the Great is huge!! Cazeaux Oslo and Nfa Jones doing their thing in a couple different groups, TomGirl are really dope. There's heaps but everyone is connected so just go and check out some music.

What else does 2018 have in store for 30/70?

We'll be announcing a national tour for our latest record ELEVATE really soon! Then we've got a new record on the way and plans to get over to the UK pretty soon. Plus a bunch of side project releases coming this year.

What’s your perfect Sunday?

We love a 30/70 family breakfast, followed by a play and a hang, maybe a swim at the river, good music, chilling.

Catch 30/70 opening up the last Sunset Sounds show of the summer this Sunday at the Malvern Gardens with Hot Potato Band.